No. 4 Boise State routs state rival Idaho 52-14

MOSCOW, Idaho — Robb Akey's not exactly sure where Boise State is ranked.

Idaho's coach is just certain the Broncos are really good.

"That's a darn good football team, ranked No. 1 or No. 4 or whatever," Akey said. "It's for good reason. They didn't get there by accident."

Kellen Moore threw two touchdown passes in the first half, Chris Potter broke three tackles on his way to a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown the first time Boise State touched the ball, and the Broncos routed rival Idaho 52-14 on Friday night.

Whether Boise State moves from being No. 4 in the country will depend on what Oregon, Auburn and TCU do on Saturday. The Broncos (9-0, 5-0 WAC) extended the nation's longest win streak to 23 games

It'll be a rare opportunity for Broncos to sit back and take a gander at those they're being compared to in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

"I always like the Friday games because you get to catch everybody else playing on Saturday," Boise State defensive back Brandyn Thompson said. "I don't have the best cable so (I'll watch) whoever is on regular ESPN or ESPN2."

Idaho was hoping to turn the 40th, and possibly final meeting between the state rivals into a raucous night inside the quirky Kibbie Dome.

Instead, it became another national showcase for the Broncos and their quick-strike ability.

Potter's punt return came just 41 seconds into the game. Boise State scored touchdowns on three of its four first-quarter possessions, capped by Moore's 58-yard touchdown pass to Titus Young in the final minute.

Moore added a 17-yard touchdown pass to running back Jeremy Avery in the final minute of the first half and a 21-yard touchdown pass to freshman Gabe Linehan in the third quarter on a broken play where it looked as if Moore was simply throwing the ball away.

Flushed from the pocket, Moore threw an on-the-run dart to Linehan at the back of the end zone for a 52-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

That was Moore's capper, as he donned an orange baseball cap the rest of the way. He finished 19 of 26 for 216 yards, after throwing for 507 yards in just three quarters last week against Hawaii. His pass efficiency rating of 180.9 on Friday night will actually lower his season mark that was at 192.4 entering the week.

"Kellen's being doing a great job with the deep ball and turning the ball over and giving those guys a chance," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said.

Doug Martin had 117 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Avery had a 1-yard TD run in the Broncos' 28-point first quarter.

The future between the Vandals (4-6, 1-4) and Broncos is in doubt because of the Broncos' pending move to the Mountain West Conference and their desire not to make the trip every other year to Moscow.

Boise State president Bob Kustra, who did not attend Friday's game, only fueled the disconnect between the schools by calling the culture in Moscow "nasty" and "inebriated" last summer.

Many of the fans Friday night bailed at halftime.

The nastiness? That came from the Broncos, who started a string of three straight Friday night games on national television with complete domination.

Not that Idaho didn't try and show its toughness. The Vandals were quick to face off with the Broncos when the teams took the field before the game. Coaches and officials shoved everyone to their respective benches and Boise State's rout began.

Idaho's best offensive plays were two fake punts Kama Bailey ran for a combined 93 yards.

Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle, who watched last year's matchup with Boise State from the Bronco Stadium sideline with a shoulder injury, was intercepted twice and finished 16 of 34 for 118 yards. His second pick was a crusher after Idaho started at the Boise State 29 following a failed onside kick and personal foul penalty on the Broncos. Enderle's pass landed in the hands of linebacker Aaron Tevis.

Thompson had two of Boise State's three interceptions and Jeron Johnson also blocked an Idaho punt as the Broncos got contributions in every phase of the game.

"This game is important to Idaho and it's a shame it's not going to get played again," Idaho defensive end Aaron Lavarias said.